Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is high on the agenda in the global shipping community and never before has the environmental profile come under more intense scrutiny.

Regulations, market requirements and economics are driving environmental developments. Compliance is not simple or cheap, and the impact differs greatly

depending on operating areas. Following on from the successful launch of the global maritime environmental congress (gmec) in 2010, a second summit focusing on air pollution management will be held in Hamburg on September 3-4, 2012, on the occasion of SMM, the world’s leading shipbuilding trade fair.

facing the shipping industry, by invitation only, followed by the SMM/gmec opening ceremony.

September 4 10.00-17.00: gmec environmental workshops focusing on different aspects of air pollution management with guest speakers and panelists

Organised by Hamburg Messe und

Congress in association with Seatrade, gmec 2012 will bring together leading international speakers from all key maritime sectors, to discuss the challenges the maritime industry faces in developing technology that ensures its activities remain sustainable and environmentally compatible.

and opportunity for delegate interaction and discussion on challenges and solutions for reducing greenhouse gases. Networking lunch. HMC and Seatrade will formally announce more details on gmec 2012, including advisory board and

working steering committee, during Seatrade Europe, being held in Hamburg September 27-29, 2011.

SMM Green Shipping Guide is the exclusive and official publication of SMM and gmec 2012.

gmec at Seatrade Europe 2011, 27-29 September at Hamburg Messe

Environmental protection will be a hot topic during the first day of Seatrade Europe 2011 in the &#39;European Rules&#39; conference session, supported by gmec, where discussion will centre on new regulations, technology and operational procedures. During Seatrade Europe,

suppliers will present their latest products for the reduction of energy and water consumption. Amongst those demonstrating

new technology are Oldenburg- based waste-water management specialist Deerberg Systems, commercial flushing system manufacturer Hobart, Convotherm Elektrogeräte and its state-of-the-art combi steamers, while Ecolab Deutschland will focus on efficient cleaning and sanitising technology. Hapag-Lloyd Kreuzfahrten, has launched a programme in co- operation with climate

organisation Atmosfair, developers of the first cruise climate calculator, to compensate carbon dioxide output. Ports are also actively exploring the possibilities of shore power or LNG supply, so that cruise ships can cut auxiliary engines in port. The new cruise terminal in Hamburg- Altona includes tracks for power and LNG supply, so that both solutions could be implemented in the future.

Germanischer Lloyd is actively engaged with shipyards Meyer Werft, Flensburger Schiffbaugesellschaft, Fr. Lürssen Werft and Tractebel Gas Engineering on developing an LNG engine concept. STX France has also announced its intention to develop a hybrid solution with LNG and electrical drive. These technologies could see energy consumption and carbon dioxide output reduced by 15-20%.